Hey everyone, So last year I had bought an Alienware desktop from Dell because I did not have the time to build a PC with my job. The motherboard in my computer only supports SATA 2 and USB 2.0, and I have some time on my hands these days, so I am looking to swap out the motherboard for a new board that supports SATA 3 and USB 3.0, however I am hesitant to buy one until I confirm I know what I need. My current system specs: Code: Operating System MS Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1 CPU Intel Core i7 970 @ 3.20GHz 6core 42 °C Gulftown 32nm Technology RAM 12.0 GB Triple-Channel DDR3 @ 682MHz (9-9-9-24) Motherboard Alienware 0J560M (CPU 1) 25 °C Graphics Alienware2310 (1920x1080@60Hz) VW246 (1920x1080@60Hz) 1023MB GeForce GTX 460 (nVidia) 32 °C 1023MB GeForce GTX 460 (nVidia) 46 °C ForceWare version 301.42 SLI Disabled Hard Drives 559GB ARRAY0 (RAID0) Optical Drives PLDS DVDRWBD DH-12E3S SCSI CdRom Device Audio Realtek High Definition Audio I know the mobo needs to have the correct socket for my CPU as well as similar dimensions. Does this seem feasible? one thing I am concerned with is the PCI slots lining up with the openings on my case, and I don't have the exact dimensions of the mobo right now, I will measure it later when I am home. EDIT: I found this which should be my mobo: http://www.ascendtech.us/dell-alienware-area-51-j560m-motherboard_i_mb7delj560maa51.aspx Based on that I looked at this replacement: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131715 Any insight is appreciated.
